Principal Investigator
Mohamad Mokadem, MD
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology and Hepatology & Principal Investigator
Mohamad earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry before delving into the world of medicine. The American University of Beirut and its affiliated hospital became home for the next decade. He completed his internal medicine training in Indianapolis at UIPUI and then pursued a clinical fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, along with a post-doctoral research fellowship in the hypothalamic research center at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. In 2014, he found his place at the University of Iowa, where he has been on its faculty ever since. His personal scientific curiosity revolves around the gut-brain axis and its pivotal role in regulating energy and glucose metabolism. Mohamad is an avid soccer enthusiast and a music lover with a penchant for unique and creative sounds.
Associate Research Scientist
Yi Chu, PhD
Associate Research Scientist and Lab Manager
Yi obtained his BS from Fudan University, MS from Cornell University, and his PhD from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His past research was mostly on gene transfer and oxidative stress in vascular biology and diseases. Now he helps the lab in daily operations to unravel mechanisms of gastric surgeries in treating obesity.
Postdoctoral Research Scholars
Sanaz Saleh, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Sanaz is a medical doctor who graduated from Tehran Islamic Azad Medical University in 2019. She is interested in internal medicine, with a particular focus on gastroenterology. Her current project investigates the role of neurotensin signaling in regulating inflammatory responses and its effects on gut barrier function and metabolism after skin burns. Sanaz is enthusiastic about contributing to the field of gastroenterology and enhancing our understanding of obesity and cancer-related mechanisms. She enjoys exploring the cultural and recreational offerings of Iowa City and looks forward to new experiences in this vibrant community.
Dana Tasabehji, MD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Dana is an M.D from Damascus University. She is interested in obesity and metabolism research, and an aspiring gastroenterologist. Her active project revolves around exploring the effect of bariatric surgery on colon cancer development and the underlying mechanisms that regulate this process. She enjoys planting and experiencing new things.
Durga Shankar Sharma, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Durga is from India and received his doctorate from the University of Hyderabad, where his research focused on endocannabinoids and their role in regulating megakaryocyte development. His current work explores how molecular clock pathways interact with neural circuits to regulate energy balance and metabolic adaptations in response to time-restricted feeding. Outside the lab, Dr. Sharma enjoys exploring new places around the city and playing and watching cricket.
Undergraduate Students
Aviva Fraer
Undergraduate Student, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa
Aviva is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences and working toward a future career in medicine. After spending time in previous labs and organizing her own experiment, she found she enjoyed the research process and wanted to continue her involvement. She is excited to be working in the lab, learning, and contributing to research.
Previous Lab Members
Mohammad Jarrah, MD
Benjamin Linden, BS
Hussein Herz, BS, MS
Song Yang, PhD
Yaunchao Ye, PhD
Marwa Abu El Haija, MD
Liping Tian, PhD